18 Aug

How Do I Maintain my Cleaning Tools

How do I maintain my cleaning tools? – Tips for long-lasting cleaning essentials!

As a cleaner, your cleaning tools can be your best friends. You cannot accomplish your tasks with just your hands which is why you have tools to help ease the difficulty. When you use these tools, you are embracing convenience and efficiency to your side. Having tools to do your job effectively and prevent doing back jobs is important.

When you use your cleaning tools, it should not be customary to just store them in a room. You must know how to clean them and how to properly store them. Doing these procedures lengthen the life of your cleaning tools. In addition, it can lessen your expenses as these materials and tools will serve you for a long time and be as efficient as possible.

You should always clean cleaning tools after use. Their name does not necessarily mean that they are already clean. It is essential to properly maintain your tools because they come in contact with various soils. Along with these soils, your cleaning tools also come in contact with numerous microbes and germs that are potential health risks when not cleaned.

Steps on how to clean different cleaning tools

Cleaning your cleaning tools are often easy. However, a few steps and minimal cleaning products can help you eradicate the soil build-up and germs accumulated on your cleaning tools. In addition, cleaning these tools prevents cross-contamination within the areas you clean and the tool itself. Hence, here are a couple of steps to clean specific cleaning tools.

Vacuum cleaner

Your vacuum cleaner may be an essential tool to get rid of dust in almost every area you clean. There are various types of vacuum cleaners according to their build. Most used in cleaning are handheld vacuum cleaners, upright vacuum cleaners, and canister vacuum cleaners. Whatever your vacuum cleaner’s type is, it still works wonders and brings convenience as an addition to your cleaning method.

Clean the canister

There are three parts to clean when dealing with a vacuum cleaner. First, you must clean the canister or the filter’s part. To clean a canister, you must unplug the vacuum and remove the filter. Then, remove the canister from the vacuum’s body and gently shake off the remaining soil into the trash. Next, wash the canister with dish detergent and water, then rinse. You must remember to let it dry first before placing.

Clean or replace the filter

The second part is the vacuum filter. The filter holds all the dust particles accumulated by using the vacuum cleaner. To clean this part, you must use the brush that comes with the vacuum and gently collect and brush away the dust to the bin. After, wash the filter using warm water only to remove the remaining dust. Then, let dry for about a day. If instructions tell you to replace the filter, you should open a new filter and place it in the vacuum.

Clean the outside of the vacuum

The vacuum’s external parts also accumulate dirt as you use it. To clean this last part, you should use a damp microfiber cloth and wipe away all the dust and soil build-up you see. Then accurately place back all the parts for your next use.

Wet mops and microfiber cloths

Microfiber mops and cloths are well-used to eradicate dust as it easily traps them on their surface. To clean these, you must first vacuum or shake the remaining dirt onto a trash bin to minimize laundering. Then you can use a laundry detergent to handwash these tools to further clean and remove all the residue from the cleaning. Next, gently and minimally squeeze the tools to remove the excess water. Lastly, let it hang to air dry before storing them in its proper storage.

Kitchen sponge

Kitchen sponges are used daily to clean dishes or the kitchen sink itself. It is scientifically declared as one of the dirtiest items in your home. It is essential to replace your sponges every once in a while, especially if it is worn out. To clean a sponge after use, let it soak in a hot bath of water and detergent powder, or let it sit on the top rack of your dishwasher and run on a heat-dry cycle. You can also use bleach to disinfect your kitchen sponge by letting it soak on a mixture of a three-fourths cup of bleach with a gallon of water, then squeeze it out.

How to store your cleaning tools

There are a couple of ways to store your cleaning tools. These methods are relatively safer and wiser so that your tools can maintain efficiency and let them live a long time. Storage can vary from a tool closet to a storage room, wherever it is more convenient for you. Proper storage of your cleaning tools helps them work efficiently and avoid accumulating more dust particles.

Organizing bins help segregate small cleaning tools such as sponges, microfiber cloths, and cleaning rags. Moreover, shelves are important, especially when separating cleaning chemicals from detergents that are not as harmful. The most important storage space characteristic is that it should have hooks to hang your brooms, mops, and dusters vertically. Vertical storage of your tools allows them to maintain their condition, saving much more space!

Storage spaces can differ depending on the area that you have. For example, you can store your tools in a certain area of your bathroom or your laundry space. You can also have a separate cabinet to hide these tools for easier access. With all these conditions, what’s most important is to store them in a well-ventilated and separate space so that external factors cannot destroy them.

Conclusion

Cleaning tools help you to properly and efficiently get your work done. Therefore, giving them value as much as you value the clean areas is essential. These tools are your partners-in-crime whenever you have to deal with soils – may they be as easy or hard to remove. Moreover, cleaning them after use can benefit you extensively.

Cleaning tools help you to properly and efficiently get your work done

Proper storage for your cleaning materials proves that you are well-organized and give importance to their condition. Likewise, suitable storage for your cleaning tools helps them last longer, which means that you would not have to buy a new one after days of using your tools. Furthermore, by doing these methods, you lessen the potential risks that come with the bacteria you deal with when cleaning.

FAQ

How do I know when to replace my cleaning tools?

Cleaning supplies and even some tools have their expiration dates listed when you buy them. In cases when there are none, replacing your tools is important, especially when they look worn out.

How often should I clean my vacuum filter?

Vacuum filters have long-lasting lives, and it is not customary to replace them after use, especially if you clean them regularly after two to three uses – depending on the amount of dust you accumulate.

Does microwaving my sponge help clean it?

Microwaving your sponges only applies to those with no steel attachments, like metallic scrub pads. You can microwave your sponge only for a minute or so and ensure it is wet.